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One World with Zain Asher
Trump: Ceasefire Extended, Blockade Of Iranian Ports Remains; IRGC: Two Vessels Seized In Strait Of Hormuz; Spate Of Attacks By Israeli Settlers On Schools; Football's Biggest Tournament Begins In Just 50 Days; Armed Robbers Flee After Stealing $1.8M At Gunpoint; Trump's Reputation Faces Fresh Online Attacks In China; Team's Losing Streak Sparks "Mamdani Jinx" Talk. Aired 12-1p ET
Aired April 22, 2026 - 12:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[12:00:31]
BIANNA GOLODRYGA, CNN ANCHOR: Despite urging from Pakistani mediators, delegations from Iran and the United States are not meeting today. Second
hour "One World" starts right now.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KEVIN LIPTAK, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE REPORTER: Without a deal in place, the Strait is going to continue to be a site of very high risk maneuvers.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
GOLODRYGA: Iran's Revolutionary Guard says, they have seized two ships in the Strait of Hormuz. Could there be a diplomatic turning point? And where
is the supreme leader in all of this? We'll discuss.
Also ahead, 50 days and counting. The World Cup is almost upon us. So, are the host countries ready to take on the biggest sporting event in the
world?
Plus.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DANNY FREEMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I got to say this was in broad daylight. This is a very busy area of Philadelphia. Truly a brazen attack.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
GOLODRYGA: The manhunt is on. Police say two armed men have stolen up to $1.8 million and they're still at large. We'll have the latest, coming up.
And later, the New York Mets just broke a record and they aren't very happy about it. Why some New Yorkers think the mayor is to blame for their
historic loss.
Hello, everyone. Live from New York, I'm Bianna Golodryga. You are watching the second hour of "One World."
And we begin in the Middle East where tensions are escalating in the Strait of Hormuz and questions are growing increasingly urgent about who exactly
is running Iran and calling the shots.
Just hours after President Trump announced a ceasefire extension on Tuesday, Tehran renewed its attacks on commercial vessels in the Strait.
At least two container ships were hit by gunfire. Iran is demanding the U.S. end its blockade of Iranian ports before any talks take place.
But the U.S. president has made it clear the blockade will remain in place until a deal is reached to end the war.
CNN's Jennifer Hansler joins me now live at the State Department. The president reportedly is saying he's going to give this another couple of
days, perhaps three to five.
What does he actually believe will happen within that timeframe?
JENNIFER HANSLER, CNN SENIOR NATIONAL SECURITY REPORTER: Well, Bianna, he's certainly trying to up the pressure to get Iran to produce what they are
calling this unified response for this diplomatic negotiation to move forward.
What we see here is him trying to put a timeframe on what yesterday he indicated could be an indefinite ceasefire when he posted on Truth Social
that he was extending it at the request of the Pakistanis. He said that it would be in place until they presented this unified proposal and until the
discussions played out, in his words, one way or the other.
Today, what we are hearing from sources to our Alayna Treene is that this is going to be a limited window for the Iranians to produce this
negotiation framework for them to resume these in-person discussions.
Now, Bianna, it's unclear if this -- this new timeframe has been presented to the Iranians. However, this idea of a fractured leadership is something
the administration has been pushing this notion that there is not someone who is in the room at this point who would be empowered to actually reach a
deal and they want to see the new ayatollah weigh in and give the green light on these negotiations.
Iranians have been pushing back on this. We just saw from the Iranian president pushing back on this idea that their leadership is fractured. He
called it propaganda in his social media post.
The broader picture here, though, Bianna, is the Strait of Hormuz, where it is continuing to be very risky, very volatile. Trump said that that
closure, that blockade by the U.S. is going to remain in effect indefinitely throughout this potential negotiating period.
And we saw the Iranian IRGC say they seized two tankers. There's also reports from the U.K. MTO that tankers were also fired upon. So, this is a
very volatile situation.
And, of course, the longer this closure goes on, the more it affects the global economy, the more we see prices continuing to rise.
So the stakes here remain incredibly, incredibly high. And there is no definite resolution here and no definite plan for these two parties to
resume those talks in Islamabad. Bianna?
GOLODRYGA: All right. Jennifer Hansler, reporting from Washington. Thank you.
Suzanne Maloney is the vice president and director of the foreign policy program at the Brookings Institution and joins the program now. It's always
great to see you, Suzanne.
[12:05:02]
And, you know, I was thinking back to your very thoughtful, as usual piece, that you wrote for this month's Foreign Affairs magazine. And you talk
about the rise of a third Islamic Republic.
And as we're seeing things play out, reporting of internal friction and fighting within leadership and the IRGC and perhaps some of the more
public, diplomatic faces and voices that we are hearing and seeing approach these negotiations from the foreign minister to the Speaker of Parliament,
what does this tell you now, given the article that you gave and that you wrote in the points that you've been making?
SUZANNE MALONEY, VICE PRESIDENT AND DIRECTOR OF THE FOREIGN POLICY PROGRAM, BROOKINGS INSTITUTION: Well, thanks very much, Bianna. It's great to be
here again.
You know, I think what we're seeing is this new system working out the (INAUDIBLE) its decision making processes. I'm not convinced that we have a
-- a huge rift or fracture within the regime itself.
But clearly, you know, from the start of -- of the post-revolutionary period, the regime has had a multiplicity of voices and perspectives and
they have shifted since the killing of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and the elevation of his son, Mojtaba, to the position of supreme leader.
Mojtaba has not been seen in public. He is presumably being treated for whatever wounds he experienced on -- on the attack -- in the attack that
killed his parents and his wife and other members of his family. But he's also presumably being protected from potential future assassination
attempts as well.
And so there do appear to be some hiccups in the communications within the regime itself. And, you know, there has always been some multiplicity of
voices, you know, different perspectives.
And with the rise of the Revolutionary Guard and the larger security bureaucracy to the position of -- of ultimate power, I think, in this
current dynamic within the regime, you know, they're -- they're still figuring out, I think, how to come to decisions and communicate those
decisions.
GOLODRYGA: Yes. And you've argued this regime is resilient in using this crisis to really try to consolidate power. We had an expert on really who -
- who worked in the Treasury Department here in the U.S. and focused specifically on sanctions, Miad Maleki.
And he has argued that within a few weeks following this blockade that Iran will really start to feel the economic squeeze. They're going to run out of
oil storage at some point. They're going to run out of money to pay the IRGC guards. And that that will then lead to more pressure on this regime
to fold, or at least agree to some sort of deal that the United States can end this war with.
Do you disagree with his arguments?
MALONEY: Miad Maleki is a really wise individual. And I think he understands the Iranian economy very well.
I think the -- the -- the counterargument, though, also stands, which is this is a regime that has thrived under economic pressure that has managed
to develop smuggling networks and other forms of evading the sanctions that have been in place, particularly since President Trump walked away from the
Iran nuclear deal back in 2018 and re-imposed maximum pressure on Iran's economy.
And so they do have an ability to use some ingenuity and some of these smuggling networks, I think, to manage at least some aspects of the
economic pressure that they're under.
I do think the oil production question is probably a really important one because Iran has some of the oldest continuously producing oil fields in
the world.
And if they are shut in, if they are not producing from those fields over a period of time, they will have difficulty in terms of returning to the same
levels of production.
And so that's a -- a pressure point for the Iranians. But, you know, they do have some storage capabilities. And I think what they're counting on is
that the economic and -- and strategic consequences of continuing this war are more painful for the international community and for President Trump
himself than they are for Iran. And so they are hoping to win the race in terms of who folds first.
GOLODRYGA: Going back to the status of Mojtaba Khamenei, is he, from what you're hearing, incapacitated? Is he still calling the shots but from a
protected location and that's why we're not hearing from him? Because there does seem to be confusion about the actual role that he's playing in all of
this.
MALONEY: I think we've been hearing from credible sources that he is alive, that he is not fully incapacitated. Although he may still be recovering
from injuries that he sustained. And that he is in fact trying to direct the overall response of the Iranian regime.
What that looks like and how convoluted it is in terms of the decision- making processes, I think are still -- is still very unclear.
[12:10:05]
And fundamentally, you know, the -- the -- the elevation of a new supreme leader was always going to change the way Iran did business, because Ali
Khamenei had been in that role for almost 37 years. He had a way of working and his preferences and networks were very, very well established.
Mojtaba had been part of that system of governance, but he certainly wasn't the -- the ultimate authority. And now, he is trying to exercise that
authority from behind the scenes in a non-public way. And there have been other major changes in terms of the personnel and -- and the -- the manner
of -- of governing within the system.
And so it's not entirely unexpected that there would be some disarray. I think there's probably a fairly coherent position, however, from the regime
about the need to continue to put pressure, to continue to resist any quick attempts to solve the crisis because they really do believe that they have
the upper hand.
GOLODRYGA: This perhaps something from Vahidi, who is the IRGC military head right now at this point, is that what you're hearing?
MALONEY: Yes. I -- I think he's certainly one of the -- the most important figures within the system.
GOLODRYGA: Suzanne Maloney, always great to have you on. Do encourage everyone to always go and read your excellent reporting and analysis.
Appreciate it.
MALONEY: Thank you.
GOLODRYGA: And turning now to a troubling story out of the occupied West Bank. The Palestinian health ministry and eyewitnesses say two people were
shot and killed amid an attack by Israeli settlers. One was a 14-year-old boy. Funerals were held Tuesday.
Israel says that it is investigating the incident.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
FATHI ABU ALIA, PALESTINIAN STUDENT AND WITNESS (through translator): We were in the classrooms inside the school. We saw a settler firing live
ammunition towards the classrooms, children and teachers.
He shot at the classroom windows and we were trapped in that area because we were very scared. We didn't know where to go.
NAJAA AL-NAASAN, GRANDMOTHER OF VICTIM (through translator): Every mother fears for her son and every child fears for himself. They are children who
left their classrooms because of the sound of gunshots. Everyone who didn't die was either injured or terrified. Their mental health is not good. I
stand with every mother who is suffering the same.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
GOLODRYGA: The killings are the latest in the spate of attacks in recent days on settlers -- by settlers on Palestinian schools or school children
in the West Bank. In one incident, settlers put up razor wire to block children from getting to school.
CNN's Jeremy Diamond joins us now live from Tel Aviv. So, Jeremy, what more are we learning about this increasing concern about the rise in settler
violence? And important to note that this today, of all days, is also Israel's Independence Day.
JEREMY DIAMOND, CNN JERUSALEM CORRESPONDENT: Yes, that's right, Bianna. And what we have seen in the West Bank over the course of the last week ties
together one common theme. And that appears to be attacks on education in the West Bank.
The most serious incident of which took place yesterday in the town of Al- Mughayyir on the outskirts of Ramallah, a town that has seen repeated instances of settler violence. I've been there before and spoken with
residents about the -- the attacks that they have been facing.
But yesterday, we saw what residents say was an Israeli settler wearing Israeli military fatigues, advancing and then opening fire on Palestinians
who were at a school in the town of Al-Mughayyir.
A 14-year-old boy and a 32-year-old parent at the school were both killed in this gunfire that was directed by this Israeli settler, according to
local eyewitnesses and the Palestinian Ministry of Health.
The Israeli military, for its part, says that the incident began when Palestinians in the area began hurling stones at an Israeli vehicle,
carrying several Israeli passengers, one of whom was an Israeli reserve soldier who exited the vehicle, they say, and did indeed open fire.
Questions about whether the Israeli military is investigating this incident are going to take any action against this Israeli reserve soldier.
But what is clear is that we have seen repeated patterns of impunity of -- of settler violence in the West Bank. And this was, you know, most evident
in several other cases this week as well, including the bulldozing by settlers of a school near that village of Tayasir, where my team and I were
detained by Israeli soldiers as we were covering the establishment of a settler outpost several weeks ago.
The bulldozing of that school apparently took place in full view of an Israeli military position very nearby. Those soldiers did nothing to
prevent the bulldozing of that school from taking place.
An activist in the area, Israeli peace activists in the area say that this was, quote, part of a systematic, serious and ongoing violation of the
ability of Palestinian girls and boys to exercise their basic right to education.
[12:15:10]
We've also seen an incident in the southern part of the West Bank where settlers near the Palestinian village of Umalchair erected barbed wire that
has prevented school children from being able to reach their school in that area of the occupied West Bank.
Since then, we've seen images of these little school children out protesting holding signs, saying protect us, let kids learn, and we miss
our school.
We have heard a lot of talk from the Israeli government in recent weeks about taking more action to confront settler violence in the West Bank,
which has skyrocketed, particularly over the course of the war in Iran, since that has been kind of dominating the headlines.
But we've seen very little in the way of actual action on the ground. Bianna.
GOLODRYGA: All right. Jeremy Diamond reporting live for us from Tel Aviv. Thank you.
Well, the British prime minister faced a tough interrogation in parliament earlier. Keir Starmer is under fire over his decision to give a top
diplomatic job to a friend of the sex offender, Jeffrey Epstein.
Yesterday, a former foreign office official told lawmakers that Starmer's office had shown a dismissive attitude towards Peter Mandelson's security
vetting and applied pressure for the process to speed up. This is what Starmer had to say about that.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KEIR STARMER, BRITISH PRIME MINISTER: So, Olly Robbins could not have been clearer in his evidence yesterday. He said this, I -- I didn't feel under
pressure personally in terms of my judgment. His words.
Mr. Speaker, he went on -- he went on to say -- he went on to say, I have complete confidence that recommendations to me and the discussions we had
and the decision we made were rigorously independent of any pressure.
Mr. Speaker, on top of that, he was asked if any conversations led him to believe that Mandelson needed to take up the role regardless of vetting
outcome. He said, I can say with certainty, it was never put to me in that way. No pressure existed whatsoever in relation to this case.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
GOLODRYGA: The British prime minister is facing renewed calls to resign over his appointment of Mandelson as the U.K.'s ambassador to the US.
Meantime, back here in the U.S., Virginia voters approved a new congressional map that gives a Democratic Party an advantage in the midterm
elections.
The new map could help Democrats pick up as many as four congressional seats come November.
CNN's Jeff Zeleny reports.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JEFF ZELENY, CNN CHIEF U.S.: NATIONAL AFFAIRS CORRESPONDENT: A major win for Democrats in Virginia on Monday evening, winning that redistricting
referendum that will give the party up to four more seats in the House of Representatives, a critical number in this midterm election fight.
It's also the latest chapter in this nearly year-long gerrymander war that has been playing out ever since President Trump famously said last summer
that he wants five more Republican seats in Texas. He said he was entitled to them.
Of course, California Democrats followed suit, having a referendum there, adding five more Democratic seats. Several other states have well.
But Virginia was the only other state to actually take this to the voters. And in a resounding fashion, Virginia voters have said that, yes, they do
approve of redrawing the maps. It's an extensive gerrymander. There is no doubt about that.
It effectively changes the delegation from six Democrats and five Republicans to 10 Democrats and one Republican. And those four seats,
again, so critical in the midterm elections.
It's a strong rebuke of President Trump. There is no doubt. It effectively erases all of the gains that he hoped he would get with that mid -- the
mid-decade of redistricting effort.
Now, Democratic Governor Abigail Spanberger of Virginia was elected just last fall on a more moderate message. She won by some 15 percentage points.
The results on Monday evening were not nearly that wide. She's been watching this with a great sense of cautious optimism, unclear how this
vote would go.
But in a statement on Monday night, she said this, "Virginians watched other states go along with those demands without voter input. And we refuse
to let that stand. We responded the right way at the ballot box."
Now, there is no doubt going forward here. Florida is still the last state eyeing this redistricting effort. They could, in fact, change their maps as
well, trying to add more Republican-friendly districts.
But it's clear that voters, the excitement and enthusiasm is on the Democratic side. President Trump was at the heart of this message. They
called it a MAGA power grab.
And clearly, Virginia voters responded in kind.
Jeff Zeleny, CNN, Washington.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
GOLODRYGA: Well, the men's World Cup is just 50 days away. Most of the games are in the U.S., where the tough immigration crackdown has convinced
some international fans to stay away.
And Mexico's president says her country is safe despite this weekend shooting of tourists at the Mexican pyramids. Those fears may be unfounded,
but fear of high ticket prices is not. Football fans are feeling a major sticker shock.
[12:20:13]
Let's bring in World Sport's Patrick Snell for more on this. And, Patrick, ticket prices and transportation fares have also been some of the major
concerns for fans.
What can you tell us as we're getting so close to these games beginning?
PATRICK SNELL, CNN WORLD SPORT: Yes. Hi, Bianna. Yes. Less than two months out now. And, yes, for the everyday fan, there's no question about it, it
is going to be a very, very expensive World Cup over here in North America.
The cost of tickets, and in fact, just trying to even get to games are two issues that are very much front and center.
I mean, let's take the final, for example, on July the 19th in New Jersey. Now, on some resale websites, the cheapest match tickets currently for that
final are over $10,000.
Well, today marking 50 days out and just over an hour or so ago, on this Wednesday, tournament organizers FIFA's last-minute sales phase actually
reopening with tickets for all 104 matches available on a first come, first served basis.
Important to point out that FIFA saying more than five million tickets have already been sold out of an expected total of just over six million for the
tournament.
Fair to say though, there has been plenty of criticism over ticket prices. You've had a group of U.S. lawmakers last month, in fact, calling for the
ticket prices to be lowered.
I will say late last year, the sports governing body introduced a small number of $60 tickets, what it calls supporter entry tier tickets, aiming
to try and make the World Cup more affordable for everyday fans of qualified teams.
But look, when you just even look at the group stage matches, in most cases, for the group stage matches, you can expect to pay hundreds of
dollars again for the cheapest ticket.
And we already know just trying to get to those games. As I said, you're going to need deep pockets, no question about that.
Let's get back to that stadium that's going to be hosting the final in New Jersey. Supporters trying to get to the MetLife Stadium from New York City,
can expect to pay an eye-watering $150 for a round-trip train fair for each match. Keep in mind, that's nearly 12 times the regular fair of just under
$13. So that's a $150 round-trip for a journey that takes 15 minutes each way from Penn Station in Manhattan to the stadium in East Rutherford and
then back again after the game.
FIFA saying it shouldn't cover the transit costs. Noting that the agreement signed with World Cup host cities back in 2018 call for free transportation
for fans to all matches.
I will say other World Cup host cities, for example, where I am right now in Atlanta, going to be keeping transit fares unchanged. Atlanta will stay
at $2.50 for a one-way fare. L.A. is going to be $1.75.
And for a footballing perspective, exciting times, at least for a number of countries, including four first-time nations. We got 48 countries overall
taking part. First time ever that a World Cup will be co-hosted by three different countries.
But what a moment for Curacao. Curacao will be the smallest country competing at a World Cup. Population of just over 150,000. Cape Verde as
well. Also there, Jordan, Uzbekistan.
And how about this? We're going to be getting a half-time show at a World Cup Final, Bianna, for the very first time. FIFA President Gianni Infantino
saying it's going to be curated by Coldplay's Chris Martin and will involve a number of different artists. He wasn't giving too much more away, though,
other than that.
Tournament starts June the 11th in Mexico City. Mexico taking on South Africa, the famed Azteca Stadium. So, we're getting ever closer. Before you
know it, we'll be there, but it's going to cost you. Certainly those ticket prices are going to be high.
GOLODRYGA: Oh, no doubt. We've been waiting for this moment and reporting on it for so long. I can't believe it's almost here, Patrick. I mean, that
is crazy in and of itself. So what a summer it will be. An expensive one at that --
SNELL: Yes.
GOLODRYGA: -- but still a lot of fun.
Patrick Snell, thank you so much. Appreciate it.
And still to come on "One World," robbers execute a brash daylight robbery of an armored truck, getting away with $1.8 million. Coming up, what clues,
if any, do the police have?
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[12:25:46]
GOLODRYGA: A manhunt is underway after an armed truck was robbed -- an armored truck was robbed at gunpoint in Philadelphia. The masked robbers
made off with $1.8 million.
Police tell CNN affiliate KYW, two men with assault rifles robbed at the Brinks truck on Tuesday morning. Investigators say they've located the
getaway car.
Let's go to CNN's Danny Freeman in Philadelphia. Danny, what more are we learning?
FREEMAN: Well, Bianna, I can tell you that it was in a tremendously chaotic scene here in Philadelphia yesterday morning. We're in the northeastern
part of the city for our viewers internationally. So, it's not as dense in terms of skyscrapers.
But make no mistake, this is still a very highly populated area. There's a bus stop right here, a gas station, a Dunkin Donuts. And, of course, this
is the cash checking spot behind me where that armored truck was on its way to when ultimately it was robbed.
And according to police, it was just before 10:00 A.M. yesterday where two men brandishing long automatic rifles came up and ultimately robbed that
armored vehicle.
According to our affiliates, WPVI and KYW, those thieves may have gotten away with up to $1.8 million and they did indeed get away.
The FBI cordoned off this whole area. They're the ones who are leading the investigation now into this robbery.
But, Bianna, I want you and the viewers to take a listen to how intense the radio chatter was when police were looking for these two armed assailants.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Was there any dye packs or trackers in the -- in the thing they took?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Gunpoint robbery of a Brinks truck 7219 Torresdale. Looking for a bright blue Acura MDX, tinted out, has an upside down V on
the front grill occupied by two to three black males wearing black masks. They're armed with automatic rifles.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
FREEMAN: Now, according to our CNN affiliates, that getaway car was ultimately found, as you noted, but the suspects nor the cash were found
with that car.
And, Bianna, I'll note, you heard some of the dialogue there that police were talking about when it comes to dyes or trackers in this car. While
armored vehicle robberies are actually fairly rare, Philadelphia, last year, actually had several instances of attempted robberies or actual
robberies of Brinks cars.
The U.S. Attorney's Office actually here in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, just a few weeks ago, announced a guilty plea for one man who
attempted to rob two armored vehicles and was successful in robbing another two in this larger region.
I say all of that to say that local law enforcement and local federal partners here, they have very recent experiences with not just finding and
tracking down suspects of robbing these armored vehicles, but also charging them in court.
Bianna?
GOLODRYGA: All right. Danny Freeman reporting for us live in Philadelphia. Thank you, Danny.
And coming up for us, how online users in China are framing the Iran war and what this means for President Trump's reputation.
Plus, he's already battling Russia's full-scale invasion of his country. Now, Ukraine's president tells CNN that he's got a new problem on his
hands. We'll tell you what that is.
And.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CIRU MWANGI, COMEDIAN: Opening for Dave Chappelle. That's what single- handedly the most stressful day of my life.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
GOLODRYGA: Nairobi's comedy scene explodes with creative talent in today's "Inside Africa." That's just ahead.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[12:30:12]
GOLODRYGA: All right. Welcome back to "One World." I'm Bianna Golodryga.
Next month, Chinese President Xi Jinping is expected to host President Trump in China.
Now, ahead of that visit, Beijing appears to be focused on turning global disruption into influence, as Will Ripley explains.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
(MUSIC)
WILL RIPLEY, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): China's censors not stopping new A.I. videos like these, mocking President Donald Trump and the Iran
war.
(MUSIC)
On Chinese social media, the message is clear.
So far, he says, the biggest winner is neither the U.S. nor Iran, it's China.
DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Good to see you again.
RIPLEY (voice-over): President Trump is set to meet Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Beijing next month. Online reaction, blunt.
"Trump is not welcome to visit, and even if he comes, it's meaningless." "No need to come. Without credibility, what are you coming for?"
That word keeps coming up, credibility, especially when it comes to ceasefire messaging. "The entire White House's credit score combined
wouldn't be enough to even unlock a single shared bike." "Every day Trump wakes up and reformats himself into a new Trump. Whatever version he is
that day is the one that counts."
TRUMP: This whole thing, it was -- is really about no nuclear. They cannot have a nuclear weapon.
RIPLEY (voice-over): in China, political speech is tightly controlled, but criticism of Trump seems to be spreading freely.
MARIA BARTIROMO, FOX BUSINESS ANCHOR: How does that change the dynamic of this meeting with President Xi?
TRUMP: I don't think it does. I mean, he's somebody that needs oil. We don't.
RIPLEY (voice-over): China is Iran's biggest oil customer. Beijing also dominates green energy and claims to be cutting oil demand by more than a
million barrels a day.
"While others are still bashing their heads in over oil, we've already gotten ahead in the next era," he says.
[12:35:00]
Solar, wind, batteries and electric vehicles. Chinese carmaker, BYD, now overtaking Tesla in global sales. At the same time, pressure on the U.S.
dollar, the backbone of global oil trading.
This Iranian embassy post say, "It's time to add petro yuan to the market."
At one point, Iran considered allowing tankers through the Strait of Hormuz, only if oil is sold in Chinese yuan, a senior Iranian official
said. Some Chinese influencers say petrodollar is ending.
(MUSIC)
Beijing is not fighting this war, but on China's social media, many are already declaring victory.
RIPLEY: While the U.S. is focused on the war, China is focused on what comes after across energy, currency, supply chains, and diplomacy.
China is positioning itself to win, not by confronting the United States, but by presenting itself as the more stable alternative.
Will Ripley, CNN, Taipei.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
GOLODRYGA: Well, earlier this week, President Xi pressed leaders to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. It is time now for The Exchange.
Joining us is Christopher Hill, a five-time U.S. ambassador. He also served as Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs.
Ambassador, thank you so much for joining us.
So just to pick up on that, because there are reports that President Xi is becoming more actively involved here in this war by putting pressure on
Iran to open the Strait.
Despite the fact that China has prepared quite well with massive oil stockpiles, the longer this goes on. Does this suggest to you that China
perhaps could be feeling the economic squeeze, if not now soon?
AMB. CHRISTOPHER HILL, FORMER U.S. ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE: Well, there's no question everyone is feeling this economic squeeze. It's
worldwide and certainly includes China, which depends on Iranian oil.
That said, I think China is looking at this moment to kind of be the world's adult in managing this. And all of these issues, whether it's in
China or Europe or elsewhere, the Iranians are tracking very closely.
And we may be in a situation where Iran is kind of, at this point, maybe overplaying its hand and playing hard to get on the negotiating table.
GOLODRYGA: And so what does that mean going forward? Does that give leverage to the United States, to President Trump, who remains adamant, at
least thus far, that this blockade will remain in place and that he's only open to a ceasefire for now three to five days, reportedly?
HILL: Well, you know, I think President Trump is in trouble with this whole negotiating stance. His popularity and the popularity, frankly, of the
United States has just plummeted worldwide in this -- in this war.
So, I think he -- what he doesn't want to do is -- is be too anxious to get a deal and then have the Iranians claim victory. And by the way, there
would be a lot of other countries claiming that Iran won things.
So, I think he needs to kind of get back to basics in terms of what we really need from this. We need -- we need a situation where we can really
say their appetite for nuclear weapons is much diminished. I think we're -- we're at that point.
And I think we need to be prepared to give Iran some kind of security guarantees, because a lot of what Iran worries about is that next week, we
would hit them again over some other issue.
So, I think the Iranians are trying to really maximize the pain. And in so doing, I think they've kind of pushed Trump into this situation where he
cannot be seen as weak.
So, this is kind of tough right now because the Trump administration is not used to doing this kind of high stakes international negotiation. But the
Iranians have a very kind of limited view of how to do it as well. And they seem to be really overdoing it.
GOLODRYGA: Yes. Because President Trump seems convinced that continuing this blockade will inevitably bankrupt Iran. Every expert we talk to
doesn't dispute that -- that -- that, you know, Iran was already in dire economic conditions prior to this war.
So, what do you make of some of the reported fractures now within Iran itself between some of the -- and -- and let's say that they're all
considered hardliners from a Western perspective, but from those diplomatic names who -- who we have heard more of, the foreign minister and the
speaking speaker of parliament versus some of these IRGC leaders. What do you make of this?
HILL: There's no question there -- there are big differences among them. I mean, many of these Iranians have never left Iran. They have no sense of
how the world operates.
So, I think you had -- you -- you -- it is useful to talk about hardliners and -- and other hardliners. I mean, I -- I think they probably are pretty
much divided. And, of course, they don't have any proven leadership at this point.
[12:40:14]
And I -- I think it's worth pointing out that we really don't know a lot about the Iranians. I mean, we haven't been there with an embassy, with
business communities since 1979. So, I think we're -- we're kind of guessing what their reaction will be.
One thing I'll say though about the -- the sanctions issue, I have never met a person involved in sanctions who doesn't feel that they're all going
to work perfectly in about two weeks. That it's always just slightly out of your grasp, that it's all going to work and it's all going to work
beautifully.
I'm skeptical. I've seen many countries endure sanctions for decades with no sign of changing their political position. So, I think we -- what we
really need is a negotiation where we know what we're doing, where we've consulted with others and -- and talked to each other.
I mean, this is going to be tough, but we've really got to get through this because the world is -- is hurting and they're blaming the United States.
GOLODRYGA: If we could go back to the China angle here and its role, because President Trump, even in an interview yesterday, chided President
Xi over what he described as a gift in terms of the materials found on a seized vessel just this week after he said China agreed not to arm Iran,
that would lead one to believe that perhaps these were some weapons components.
There have been threats early going into this war, and I would say even the war that Russia launched on -- on Ukraine, that secondary sanctions would
be imposed on any country that is aiding and abetting the offending country.
So, do you -- would you like to see the United States take a tougher stance here and put more pressure on China, which clearly has leveraged over both
of these countries, Russia and Iran?
HILL: I think we are well within our rights to let the Chinese have it on issues like that. I mean, this is a very difficult situation for China to
be kind of fishing in these troubled waters by providing more military assistance.
So, the Chinese know this is going to end in a negotiation and probably sooner rather than later. And so China really ought to -- ought to stay
away from that kind of stuff.
And frankly, they help -- they help President Trump. If their whole goal is to undermine him, this is not undermining him when it's revealed that
they're doing this kind of stuff, so they should think a little harder about this.
I mean, I must say there is a -- a sense that the U.S. has kind of put itself in a situation that it really is having trouble getting out of. I
mean, the political news out of the U.S. is very bad for President Trump.
And the thing is, thanks to outlets like CNN and other international news agencies, the entire world knows what's going on in the U.S. and notice the
degree to which President Trump really needs to put this behind us.
GOLODRYGA: Christopher Hill, always appreciate the time, Mr. Ambassador. Thank you so much. It does look beautiful where you are there in Greece, I
have to say. So please enjoy your time there.
HILL: I'll try.
GOLODRYGA: All right. Coming up, money and survival. Ukraine's wartime president has been talking to my colleague, Christiane Amanpour, about
both. Volodymyr Zelenskyy admits that the war in Iran has taken the focus away from Russia's aggression against his country.
But he stresses that it's important not to forget about Ukraine, which he says still needs money for weapons.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
VOLODYMYR ZELENSKYY, UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT: So without financing, without funds, we can't produce as much as possible.
For today, we are producing about around a little bit less than 1,000 of drone interceptors if we have money per day, per day. But we can produce
2,000, but we don't have for this funding.
So, it's really the question of our life, of the -- of the surviving, of defending. So, we need this money very much.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
GOLODRYGA: President Zelenskyy is getting some good news from the E.U., which is going ahead with a $105 billion loan to Kyiv. More on that and the
full interview with the Ukrainian leader on "Amanpour" in the next hour on CNN.
We'll be right back after a break.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[12:45:09]
GOLODRYGA: Kenya's stand-up comedy scene is growing. Punchline Comedy Club in Nairobi runs an annual all-female comedy festival to showcase a diverse
talent the country has to offer. It's the subject of today's "Inside Africa."
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: This is the fifth year that Punchline Comedy Club will be running an all-female comedy show.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I'm (INAUDIBLE). I want you to give it up and welcome our past comedian of (INAUDIBLE) Are you guys ready? Ms. Trusillah
Lorraine.
TRUSILLAH LORRAINE, STAND-UP COMEDIAN: Hi, everyone.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Trusillah Lorraine is making her festival debut.
LORRAINE: As I started out, like I didn't know how to structure a joke. I just thought I was funny.
I was roughly in the role in December. Why are you clapping, did you -- are you the one who murdered him?
But when I came here, you get to know that there's a setup and a punchline. And that sometimes there are mini punchlines inside the punchline.
The area I have grown most in is actually writing jokes.
Do you ever get pressure to get married? I'm getting this pressure from just one relative. My six-year-old daughter.
I do a lot of mothering and a lot of adulating. So, I think I chose comedy because then I get to practice art and be free and just speak my mind. So,
it's sort of like where I go to rest.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: A seasoned performer, Ciru Mwangi has been chosen to close the comedy night.
Being the last act can allow nerves to get the better of you. But Ciru is used to high pressure, having performed alongside one of the most famous
comedians in the world.
MWANGI: Opening for Dave Chappelle, that was single-handedly the most stressful day of my life. There's such a high bar as a comedian. And I felt
if I -- if I mess this up, everyone will only see female comedians are this and they're this.
And so it was very stressful, but I was also super grateful.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Ciru Mwangi.
(APPLAUSE)
MWANGI: The novelty, it wears off in the first two seconds. After this, the next comedian is a woman, everyone is like, oh, OK. Then we get on stage
and you hold the mic, and I go, OK, now, make us laugh.
MWANGI: Got hit on by a young (INAUDIBLE) young guy. You know what that -- that does for you as a woman? It's so (INAUDIBLE) like you can go to
therapy and then meditate. But when a younger guy (INAUDIBLE) you'll see something here. You'll see maybe. Got me and Dr. (INAUDIBLE) has been
watching on this last year. It healed. That's nice.
(LAUGHS)
MWANGI: And in that moment, you quickly -- very quickly realize, there's no such thing as a male or female comedian, it's just comedian. Be funny.
That's all they want, just be funny.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[12:50:45]
GOLODRYGA: Baseball is a sport well known for superstition and streaks, winning streaks and losing streaks. Some Mets fans are linking New York
Mayor Zohran Mamdani to the team's brutal losing streak, pointing to a post-game hug as the start of the so-called jinx.
Marcia Kramer with CNN affiliate WCBS has more.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ZOHRAN MAMDANI, NEW YORK CITY MAYOR: I will accept being -- being addressed as Mayor Mambino for the day.
MARCIA KRAMER, WCBS REPORTER (voice-over): In an unusual move for a politician who likes to win, Mayor Mamdani good-naturedly lean into his new
persona as the man who jinxed the Mets when he hugged the team mascots Mr. and Mrs. Met.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Ever since that hug, I don't know what's been happening lately. And city field does not deserve what they're getting right now.
KRAMER (voice-over): Several Mets fans have taken to social media to blame New York's influencer in chief for the team's longest losing streak since
2004, the seventh longest in team history.
The Mamdani curse strikes again. "How long will the New York Mets' Mamdani curse last?" "I'd like to thank Zohran Mamdani for cursing the Mets."
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Socialism ruins everything. Just ask the New York Mets.
KRAMER (voice-over): Others say the mayor's curse was just as bad for the Mets as the curse of the Bambino was for the Red Sox. That team didn't win
a World Series for 86 years after they sold Babe Ruth to the Yankees.
This Red Sox fan ignored his Mets jersey says, there might be a correlation between the Bambino and the Mambino for the Mets.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I think they're a cursed franchise.
KRAMER (voice-over): Is there a way for the mayor to take the curse off?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He asked that it's in the game in Queens tonight. Mamdani come through tonight.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Maybe the mayor should go to the game and see what happens.
KRAMER (voice-over): And then there was my hard-hitting exchange with the mayor.
So, is there anything that you can do to help them? I mean, can you wave a magic wand and say the curse is gone?
MAMDANI: You know, I will -- I will keep my fingers crossed as every Mets fan does.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
GOLODRYGA: And call it a coincidence, but the Mets lost their 12th straight game on Tuesday after that report right there was filed. It's their longest
losing streak since August of 2002.
Adding insult to injury, the Minnesota Twins poked fun at the Mets after their five-three defeat, trolling them on social media by highlighting
those 12 losses and naming a selection of things that come in dozens.
[12:55:09]
Oh, well, I can laugh at this because given my son supports the Yankees, I'm a Yankees fan then.
All right. That does it for "One World" this hour. I'm Bianna Golodryga. Thanks so much for watching. "Amanpour" is coming up next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[13:00:00]
END
